Melinda June Bentley

Melinda June Bentley, age 65, passed away on December 31, 2017 at Glenn Arbor Hospice after a lengthy illness. Melinda, the daughter of Donald L. and Charlene M. (Watkins) Bentley, was born in Battle Creek on June 9, 1952, was a lifelong resident and 1970 graduate of Harper Creek High School. She went on to continue her education at Western Michigan University graduating in 1989 with a Bachelor's degree in elementary education with an emphasis in early childhood.

Melinda loved teaching, working in Athens and Battle Creek Public School Districts over the course of her career. When away from work Melinda enjoyed music, shopping and going to Bible study.

Melinda was united in marriage to Elias Aldama on December 15, 2000. She is survived by her husband, Elias Aldama; her sister, Sandra L. (Robert A.) Martin; her nephew, Andrew L. (Taylor M.) Martin; and her niece, Samantha L. Martin. She was preceded in death by her parents, Donald L. Bentley and Charlene M. Bentley.

A funeral service to celebrate Melinda's life will be held on Friday, January 12th at 1:00 pm at Farley Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care with Rev. Steven Amaro, officiating. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 11th from 6:00 pm to 8:00pm at the funeral home. Memorial contributions in Melinda's honor may be directed to James Robinson's Water for Life @ www.warterforlife.org or Franklin Graham's, Samaritan's Purse @ www.samaritanspurse.org. Personal messages for the family and/or favorite memories of Melinda may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.